Traction-increasing device for endless flexible track belts



A. KEGRESSE TRACTION INCREASING DEVICE FOR ENDLESS FLEXIBLE TRACK BELEs Dec. 18, 1928. 1,695,657

Filed April 2, 1926 2 SheeIS- -Sheei- '1 4 .n. IE-L' E vm INVENTOR 1 4Z0] 2 Key rend :IQEM

ATTORNEY A. KEGRESSE TRACTION INCREASING DEVICE FOR ENDLESS FLEXIBLE TRACK BELTS Dec. 18, 1928. I 1,695,657

Filed April 2, 1926 2 Shets-Sheet 2 IHVEHTDIT I flung 53a A e'framv BEL r Patented Dec. 18,1923.

ADOLPHE KEGREssE, or rears, FRANCE.

TRACTION-INCREASINGIDEVICEYFOR ENDLESS :FLEXIBLE T mon BELTS.

Application filed April 2, 1926, Serial No. 99,283, and in France April 6, 1925.

'Iraction-increasingdevices at present employed in connection with endless track belts for vehicles ordinarily consist of spikes or similar ground-engaging partswhich are removably secured to the belt by bolts or other special fastenings. The spikes heretofore used require, however, somewhat long a time for fitting and forremoval, and they often cause the belt to work poorly. On the other hand, on muddy ground and, particularly, on clay, the mud or slime sticking to the belt forms clotsorcakes' which, at times, fillup the spaces between the spikes, thereby limiting and even overcoming or destroying the efliciency thereof. 7 p

The object of my invent-ion is to overcome these drawbacks-by utilizing, as a means for increasing traction, anendless, flexible device which fits around and conformably over the belt on the outside thereof,.and which, while straining the track belt itself, will automatically prevent mud from sticking to the tread of the belt.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 shows in elevation a belt fitted with a device arranged according to my invention. j

Figure 2 is a plan view of the same.

On belt 1 (Figures 1 and2) is mounted my improved traction-increasing device, which is composedof' two longitudinal side members or lines 2 made of suitable material (chains areshownon the drawing) and con nected by a number of cross-pieces '3, also shown as made of chain.

Said device is constructed in such a way that the side members 2 length different from the length of thet-rack belt itself.

7 As will be readily understood, arelative motion must, under these conditions, take place between the traction-increasing device and the belt proper.

' carried insuring proper traction without ,when required without without unduly tensioning the belt.

have a developed Asa along by the belt and, since their developed length is'less than that of the belt, there must necessarily occur a relative shifting as between cross-pieces 3 and the belt. itself, the result being that said cross-pieces, 5o shifting on the outer face of the'belt, effect a cleaning thereof. 7

The cleaning operation is carried out primarily on the upper stretch where resistance is minimum, the cross-pieces not being forced against the belt by the vehicle load. V

Furthermore, the fact that allthe crosspieces are connected with the longitudinal side members 2 has the effect of distributing the strain over the whole length or span of said members, and the latter, consequently are in contact with the belt throughout its entire i Y length.

Finally, I wish topoint out that my device offers the further advantage of relieving the belt, since, owing to the traction orpull ex-. 1

erted, the chains apply the belt-against the driving pulleys, thereby increasing the adherence of thebelt to said pulleys, and thus permitting maximum stress to be developed any slippage and I claim as my invention I The combination of an endless, flexible track belt; and an endless, fleXible'non-skid device fitting around and conformablyover the belt on the outside thereof and embodying spaced, longitudinal side members disposed inwardlyof the belt between its stretches and cross-pieces connecting the same, saidside so -members havlng a developed length which is, appreciably less than that In testimony whereof I affix my signature ADOLPHE KEGRESSE.

matter of fact, the side members are 45 of the belt so. as to produce a relative displacement ofmathematically determined extent between the belt and the non-skid device at each complete 5 revolution of the two. I 

